~THE SIX-GUN JUSTICE PODCAST~

CELEBRATING THE BLAZING SIX-GUN ACTION OF THE WESTERN GENRE

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Monday, November 23, 2020

SIX-GUN JUSTICE PODCAST EPISODE 21—CHARGE! U.S. CAVALRY WESTERNS

SIX-GUN JUSTICE PODCAST
EPISODE 21
CHARGE! 
U.S. CAVALRY WESTERNS
Dat-dadat-dadat-dadat-datda-dadat-dadaaaaaaaa! CHARGE! It's the cavalry to the rescue...Hold steady there, Troopers, because it's time for another full-length episode of the Six-Gun Justice Podcast. Prepare yourselves to defend Fort Podcast, where Paul and Rich are under siege from Apaches while discussing the numerous books, movies, and short stories featuring the U.S. Cavalry in all its glory and—in some cases—infamy. 
 
Available now on all major podcast streaming platforms or by clicking the player below...
 

6 comments:

  1. Great background on a lot of movies, TV shows and books I have fond memories of, guys! Although A THUNDER OF DRUMS may not be considered one of the "classics" of the cavalry genre, I loved it when I saw it at the local movie theater in 1961 at age 11. I also read the Bantam novel (https://amzn.to/3l1qRZT). So, that one is a classic to me and I still enjoy rewatching the film every once in a while. I generally agree with your assessment of SOLDIER BLUE, but... I recall the controversy it created when it came out at the height of the Vietnam War, both for its political angle and gore levels. It was different and audacious and made a splash. As noted in the Wikipedia entry, one New York Times reviewer said it "must be numbered among the most significant, the most brutal and liberating, the most honest American films ever made." That's overly generous. But I do think SOLDIER BLUE is a fascinating artifact of its time and a must watch for people interested in the new trends that were happening in movies in the early '70s. Anyway, kudos on another excellent episode.

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    1. Thx for your comment, Bob. As always we appreciate your support. You are right in mentioning Soldier Blue needs to be seen through the context of when it was made. From that point of view, it may well be an important comment on society, but for me its power and message are lost through the fimmaker's choice to wallow in onscreen gore.

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  2. I'd like to recommend one more great prose story featuring the calvary--Luke Short's novella "Trumpets West." It was also faithfully adapted as a comic book in Dell's Four Color #875.

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    1. Tim... I have Trumpets West by Luke Short on my shelf. I'm going to have to search it out...

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  3. Thanks for another great episode! I’d like to propose some more recent publications as entries to the cavalry canon: An obituary for Major Reno (Richard Wheeler) and A Road we do not know (Frederick Chiaventone) are 2 outstanding cavalry novels!
    On the subject of SOLDIER BLUE: Chivington’s troupe was a Colorado militia and not a regular Cavalry unit. He was a self proclaimed preacher who promoted himself to colonel of the militia and not a regular career officer. This was mob violence and the atrocities described at Sand creek really happened. If you make that distinction, then it does not have to detract from the myth of ‘the boys in blue to the rescue’. I believe Chivington was court martialed for his crimes.
    Thanks again

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    1. Michael...Thx for your reply. I'll be sure to check out the books you recommended. As always there are more books and movies on a specific Western genre subject than we can ever cover in a single episode, but having listeners make suggestions (like yours) helps to widen our knowledge...

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